Lei Gao, MBBS

Dr. Lei Gao is a neuroanesthesiologist at the MGH and an Associate Professor of Anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School. After medical school in London, UK, he completed anesthesia residency and T-32 training in sleep and circadian biology under Dr. Kun Hu (Director of MBC at the MGH). Dr. Gao now leads the Perioperative Sleep and Brain Health Lab (PSBL) to understand and enhance sleep and circadian health in older surgical patients, particularly underrepresented minorities. Funded by the NIH, PCORI, and the Alzheimer’s Association, PSBL conducts prospective observational cohorts and multisite randomized clinical trials for optimizing preoperative sleep and the prevention of postoperative delirium, cognitive disorders, and pain. His research has paved the way for new risk stratification and intervention approaches, including wearable technology and novel perioperative strategies. Dr. Gao contributes to multiple journal editorial boards and grant review committees (Sleep Research Society, PCORI, and the NIH). He also co-directs the MGH Anesthesia Residency Research (PRIME)Track, fostering the next generation of perioperative physician-scientists. Outside of work, he is busy with two (soon-to-be three) toddlers and four rescue dogs/cats, and he enjoys good food, hikes, racquet sports, and all things rugby when time allows!